Pharmacy Assistant

Position Summary: The Pharmacy Assistant shall be accountable to the location manager and is responsible for performing the technical functions necessary for the general day-to-day operation of the department; replenishing Pyxis med stations (where applicable), filling prescriptions, checking prepared medications for accuracy, entering patient information, running reports, maintaining records, sterile and non-sterile compounding, providing technical assistance in stock‑flow control, training new pharmacy staff and performing other related duties as assigned. Qualifications Pharmacy Assistant course from a recognised program Other combination of education and experience may be considered Evidence of ability to pass and maintain pharmacy technician or pharmacy assistant verification validation Province of Manitoba Class 5 Driver’s Licence, and access to a personal vehicle to provide service within the Prairie Mountain Health Proficiency with Microsoft programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint), as well as Internet applications and other Information Technology Demonstrated leadership Demonstrated written and oral communication skills Ability to prioritise in a changing environment Strong organisational, decision‑making and problem‑solving skills Ability to display independent judgment Ability to respect and promote a culturally diverse population Ability to respect and promote confidentiality Ability to perform the duties of the position on a regular basis Responsibilities General Enter patient information into the applicable computer system for profile updates, label generation and charging purposes. Examples of information entered are: inpatient and outpatient refills, chemotherapy orders and leave of absence orders. Generate patient–specific reports (i.e. labels, profiles) Generate and review selected non‑patient specific reports (i.e. outpatient, inventory, statistical, narcotic, Pyxis). Review and adjust reports and follow up with Pharmacist when necessary. Sort and process medications returned to pharmacy (i.e. return bin). Record, credit and return medication to the stock location or discard medication. Assemble, file and maintain departmental records (i.e. prescriptions, patient profiles). Perform intermediate checks on prepared medications for accuracy as per departmental procedure (i.e. strip packaged medications). Direct inquiries from phone calls and visitors as applicable. Perform inspections of medication storage areas in pharmacy and on the nursing units for appropriate storage, cleanliness and expiry dates. Train new pharmacy Assistants. Deliver medications to appropriate nursing units. Accumulate data and maintain records for departmental statistics (i.e. workload). Handle cytotoxic and biological products. Order stationary supplies. Monitor expiry of medications. Inpatient Dispensing Fill prescriptions by selecting the medication, placing it into an appropriate container and affixing the label to the container. Perform extemporaneous compounding as required and maintain manufacturing records. Prepare medications for delivery or shipping as required. Store and maintain records of patients’ medications from home. Count and record quantity of narcotics on hand. Fill stock medication requisitions. Assist the Pharmacist in dispensing prescriptions. Issue and deliver controlled drugs and maintain records for non‑Pyxis areas. Participate in inventory reconciliation. Pyxis (where applicable) Run Pyxis reports daily at the Pyxis console and assign new patient‑specific medications to Pyxis med stations as required. Select medications from stock for refill and load Pyxis med stations. Load assigned medications, refill standard medications and unload medications without orders at Pyxis med stations. Respond to stock‑out bulletins, stock‑critical‑low bulletins, pick medication and refill the medication at Pyxis med stations. Check and replenish ward stock at each nursing unit. Maintain adequate supply of strip packaged medications for ward replenishment. Assist in maintaining appropriate medications and inventory in the Pyxis med stations. Empty Pyxis and non‑Pyxis return bins and return inventory. Check expiry dates, inspect drug storage areas, maintain ward stock lists and organise and label cupboards. Sterile Services Assemble medications and supplies required for patient‑specific and bulk sterile compounding. Assist in the preparation of sterile products, using aseptic technique, in the horizontal laminar flow hood and biological safety cabinets. Perform batch and patient‑specific sterile compounding (i.e. adult total parenteral nutrition (TPN), paediatric TPN, large and small volume parenterals, chemotherapy, epidurals). Prepare sterile compounds. Stock sterile room with supplies. Inventory Maintain adequate inventory levels. Receive and verify incoming drug shipments. Reconcile invoices and credits. Order non‑stock supplies. Fill order request from non‑contract purchasers. Maintain pertinent inventory records. Process month‑end and year‑end. Send expired goods to vendors for credit. Reconcile inventory issues. Database Management Enter medication and financial information into the Pyxis, BDM and Logibec databases. Monitor and test pharmacy interface systems. Review, update and maintain the formulary in response to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics recommendations upon RMAC approval. Analyse system reports and staff feedback to determine inventory levels. Oversee the building of Pyxis med stations. Resolve system issues. Secondary Hospital Site & Remote Locations Fill and send orders to facilities. Receive expired stock from contract facilities, sort and catalogue the stock according to manufacturer/wholesaler then record which facility the stock belongs to and ship expired goods to the appropriate vendor. Divide credit invoice amounts and provide an itemised list along with a credit total to each facility. Prepare and update ward stock sheet lists. Heat‑seal (blister pack) controlled drug stock for use at the facilities. Check controlled drug sheets for error/omissions and make arrangements to have them completed/corrected. File and store sheets as required by the College of Pharmacists. Check expiry dates of products. Other duties as assigned. Seniority level Entry level Employment type Full-time Job function Health Care Provider Hospitals and Health Care Location: Brandon, Manitoba, Canada #J-18808-Ljbffr